News

Long running Kent gay campaigning group Pride in Canterbury has announced its 2012 annual 'awards'.

They encompass both local and national people and groups and  include some brickbats for those considered 'unhelpful' to Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people and gay rights.

These awards come ahead of a UK celebration of LGBT and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell's 60th birthday on the 25th January and the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month in February, for which an event is already scheduled for the Georges House Gallery, in Folkestone from the 3rd to the 15th.

PRIDE IN CANTERBURY AWARDS FOR 2011
www.prideincanterbury.org.uk 

HALL OF FAME

James Ledward:
For his tireless work on behalf of the LGBT communities, and his generous support, through GScene magazine, for Pride in Canterbury over 8 years

Gscene Magazine:
The South East magazine for LGBT community news, entertainment and coverage of all important issues

ANNUAL PRIDE IN CANTERBURY AWARDS

CELEBRITY OF THE YEAR

Russell Grant:
For bringing camp entertainment back into our lives, at a time, when the men in grey suits would have us all homogenised into clones of themselves.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Lemon Otter:
For making it possible for Pride in Canterbury to initiate the City’s first LGBT singing group, The Nine Bob Notes.

SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR

Michael Wheatley-Ward:
Manager of the Sarah Thorne Theatre, for the diversity of entertainment seen there and especially for his determination in bringing 'Twinkle Little Star' to the area.

ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

AGE UK, Canterbury:
For their willingness to recognise the needs of the LGBT community in their policies and publications.

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Steven Davies:
The world’s first professional cricketer to come out in the homophobic world of sport.

PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

Kentish Gazette:
For their continuing interest in, and support for, LGBT issues.

FILMS OF THE YEAR

'Loose Cannons/Mine Vaganti'
Screened at the Palace Cinema, Broadstairs by the Thanet Film Society

'Beginners'
Screened at the Gulbenkian Cinema, Canterbury

DRAMA OF THE YEAR

'Twinkle Little Star' by Philip Meeks:
Performed at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs, Kent

PLAYWRIGHT OF THE YEAR

Philip Meeks:
For his play “Twinkle Little Star” seen at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs, Kent

ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Douglas Mounce:
For his performance as Harold Thropp in “Twinkle Little Star” at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs

BEST MUSICAL

Stephen Cresswell’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s 'Into the Woods':
By Canterbury Operatic Society

MOST FRIENDLY GAY BAR
 

Presented to the staff and customers of The Marine Tavern, Brighton:
If only Canterbury had a bar like this!

THE MUSICAL THAT CANTERBURY NEEDS TO SEE

“Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
The hit show, that sings, dances and laughs prejudice and homophobia away.

THE DEAD CANARY AWARDS

These awards draw attention to those who could, and, should with the Equality Act, be working on behalf of LGBT people in the Canterbury and the surrounding area.

Colin Carmichael:
Chief Executive, Canterbury City Council
The buck stops with him!

Janice McGuiness:
Head of Culture and Enterprise, Canterbury City Council
For her failure over 8 years to respond to the need for LGBT culture in Canterbury!

David Wood:
OBE, BA, AKC, Chartered FCIPDS, MInstF, MBIFM
Chief Executive of Attend
For his failure to respond to the needs of LGBT people nationally and locally

Canterbury City Council declined to be quoted on the accolade.

Click here for more on Peter Tatchell

Click her for the LGBT History Month UK events

©Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012